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    carman's Avatar
    carman Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Mar 17, 2007, 10:28 PM
    Shower leak
    Our home is built on a slab, we have a non-tile shower. We discovered water covering the carpet floor, called a plumber and after an hour he could not determine the leak.
    We had to rip up the carpet due to so much water, now that floor is dry we can't seem to see any new leaking. What in the world could have happened? And what precautions should we take before re-flooring the bathroom floors? Any suggestions will be helpful. THANKS.
    Lowtax4eva's Avatar
    Lowtax4eva Posts: 2,467, Reputation: 190
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Mar 17, 2007, 10:31 PM
    There is probably a leak under the shower, perhaps the tile has a small crack or somewhere around th drain there is a crack in the sealant, if you can I would replace the floor of the shower and regrout the entire shower.

    Another possibility, check the seal around the door (if the shower has a door)
    carman's Avatar
    carman Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Mar 17, 2007, 11:02 PM
    This is where we get confused. What is considred a tile shower? We have a fiberglass shower. The entire shower is one piece.
    ScottLwood's Avatar
    ScottLwood Posts: 19, Reputation: 2
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    #4

    Mar 18, 2007, 06:39 AM
    Do you have shower doors? If so you might try recaulking around them, use 100% silicone! Recaulk inside and outside the shower. Fiberglass systems sometimes get hairline cracks check your shower floor and walls with a flashlight. Does the fiberglass system have a towel bar built into the system? Check it if it does, caulk if needed. Was the plumber able to access the drain from under the system? I know its on a concrete slab but sometimes you can gain access from a closet or access panel. What exactly did the plumber check?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #5

    Mar 18, 2007, 06:39 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by carman
    Our home is built on a slab, we have a non-tile shower. We discovered water covering the carpet floor, called a plumber and after an hour he could not determine the leak.
    We had to rip up the carpet due to so much water, now that floor is dry we can't seem to see any new leaking. What in the world could have happened? And what precautions should we take before re-flooring the bathroom floors? Any suggestions will be helpful. THANKS.
    Hi Carman,

    You have,what we call, a manufactured shower base and enclosure as against a custom tile one. If the shower floor "gives" a bit when you step on it the drain seal might be ruptured allowing water to run down outside the drain onto the floor. How this can be checked would be to remove the strainer and block the drain with wet rags jammed it it or a baloon blown up inside the drain opening and tied off. Fill the base with a inch or so of water, mark the level and let it set over night. Next morning look for a lowered level or m moisture.
    To repair, remove the drain lip and run a small rope of plumbers putty or silicon jel around the lip of the drain and reinstall it. This is caused by the installer not bedding the base properly by puddling mortar or cement under the base for support. If you can get to the underside of the base I would suggest bedding it so this doesn't happen again in the future. Good luck, Tom

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